Despite loss on field, trip to Atlanta a big recruiting win for Auburn

Auburn's performance in the Georgia Dome left 5-star Montravius Adams with a good impression. (Courtesy of 247Sports)

Auburn may not have pulled out a win on the field against Clemson on Saturday night but the trip to Atlanta could pay big dividends for Gene Chizik and his staff when it comes to recruiting. Thanks to a new SEC rule that allows teams to host recruits at neutral site games, Auburn welcomed an impressive group of elite recruits to the Georgia Dome and several came away with good things to say about the Tigers.

Five-star defensive lineman Montravius Adams was perhaps the biggest recruit in attendance, both by size and reputation, and the nation's No. 1 defensive tackle got a chance to see two of his top choices in action.

"I like a lot about Auburn," Adams told 247Sports after the game. "I like the coaches. But I need to hang out with the players and see how they really live. I like them a lot, though."

Adams plans on taking an official visit to Auburn after the season and has had the Tigers high on his list for most of the recruiting process.

"They need some more work on offense and defense. They need some more guys to help them."

Another highly-touted 2013 prospect was also on hand as 4-star running back Derrick Green made the trip from Richmond, Virginia to see the game. The 6-foot, 215-pound back told Auburn Undercover that despite Auburn's loss, he came away impressed with what he saw of Chizik's program.

"I got a chance to see what type of offense Auburn is going to run and how they're going to use their running backs and I definitely liked it," Green said. It was a plus. There was definitely a loud fanbase out there. They showed me a lot of love. I definitely liked that a lot."

Green has yet to set a date for his official visit to Auburn but is considering either the Arkansas game on October 6 or the Texas A&M game on October 27.

A handful of the top juniors in the state of Alabama were also in attendance at the game, including Calera defensive back Ronnie Clark and Carver-Montgomery star Shaun Dion Hamilton, who arrived fresh off a big win for Carver over area rival Prattville.